Results 6,281-6,300 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Standards in Public Office. (18 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The very near future.

Standards in Public Office. (18 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The point was made that the loophole in the legislation should be closed off. If a Member of the House receives a part of a property or land from a relation in future, will he or she be able to accept it? The amendment will create a mechanism to check that. It is a good idea. I would not like to see the House turn into the greatest purist in the world, which it is fast becoming. We would...

Standards in Public Office. (18 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I am not aware whether the recommendation was made officially, but if the commission has made it to the Minister for Finance, I am sure he will consider it. If I could put myself in the position of a Member as distinct from Taoiseach for a minute, why would the commission want this power? Why would the commission want to pick on a Member about whom no complaint has been made? What would the...

Standards in Public Office. (18 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: This was a power——

Standards in Public Office. (18 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I am sure the commission will make an argument about that to the Minister, but I just want——

Standards in Public Office. (18 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: For the protection of Members of the House more than anything else, I will make my argument. I cannot see a situation where a Member would be involved in a controversy but no one would make a complaint against him or her. We know what happens. If there is any controversy, people will send in letters that the commission must examine. There would be no lack of such people among the public....

Standards in Public Office. (18 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Many of the issues raised from time to time are both mischievous and frivolous. I would like to see the counterargument. I do not see where there is a difficulty. Whenever there is a controversy many people write in complaining about this, that and the other. I get letters if a Member from either side of the House does practically anything nonsensical. Much of this is merely jumping on...

Standards in Public Office. (18 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The current ethics legislation does not define "friend". This is the point. In the absence of any clarification in the ethics legislation, the term "friend" would have the meaning normally associated with the word in every day usage and the commission previously commented that this was a complicating factor, and that is why it is an issue that must be dealt with.

Order of Business (18 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. a16, statements on Northern Ireland; No. 12, Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006 — motion to instruct the committee; No. 1, International Criminal Court Bill 2003 — amendments from the Seanad; No. 16, Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006 — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 17, Health (Nursing Homes)(Amendment) Bill 2006 —...

Order of Business (18 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Early next year.

Order of Business (18 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I will consult with the Minister. We agreed we would do so at the appropriate time, but I will check with him.

Order of Business (18 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I understand that they are within a month or two of finishing the work on this. This has proved to be a complex Bill because it dates back to all the old charitable bequests and donations and regulations that were built up. It is also one that creates much heat around many bodies on both sides of the argument around the country.

Order of Business (18 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the Bill have been approved. The work is going ahead but it has been a complex Bill. They hope to have it at the beginning of the new year for the spring session.

Order of Business (18 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is obvious that there is considerable demand to bring it forward again. I will consider that.

Order of Business (18 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform informs me that he has examined those issues. There is not a legal problem about us debating reports and we hope to have an early debate on the Morris, Nally and Barr tribunals with the agreement of the Whips.

Northern Ireland Issues: Statements (18 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to share my time with the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The two Governments and the Northern Ireland political parties met last week between 11 and 13 October at St. Andrews in Scotland. Following intensive and complex negotiations, Prime Minister Blair and I published what we believe represents a way forward for the restoration of the political...

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (24 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together. In accordance with the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, which considered the Barron report on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, the Government appointed Mr. Patrick MacEntee SC as sole member of a commission of investigation to examine specific matters relating to the Dublin...

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (24 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I undertake to do so, as has been the case with all such reports. I will consult the representatives of the victims' groups and ensure they receive the report in due time. I am not privy to precisely what Mr. MacEntee will report on. I understand from my officials who met him yesterday that his investigative work is completed. He has received quite a lot of co-operation and has followed a...

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (24 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is my intention to publish the report as soon as possible after it is received. I am required by law to consider certain issues prior to publication. This is likely to involve legal advice from the Attorney General and I have to submit it to the Cabinet for publication. As in the case of other reports, the timescale involved between receipt and publication of reports is impossible to...

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (24 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It depends on what is in the report and how Mr. MacEntee presents it, but I certainly wish to publish the report as quickly as possible because we have to put it into the committee. The House must be sitting when we publish the report. As I understand it, Mr. MacEntee can make recommendations. On the point I made about the British Government, I think there has been co-operation because Mr....